General Questions
Q: What is MityVac?
A: MityVac is a leading manufacturer of automotive maintenance tools, specializing in vacuum and pressure pumps, brake bleeding systems, fluid extractors, and diagnostic equipment. Their products are widely used by professional mechanics and DIY enthusiasts for brake maintenance, fluid transfer, and vehicle diagnostics.
Q: What are the main types of MityVac products?
A: MityVac offers several product categories including brake bleeders (vacuum and pressure types), hand vacuum pumps, fluid evacuators/extractors, compression testers, fluid dispensers, transmission fillers, and various replacement parts and accessories.
Q: Are MityVac tools suitable for DIY users or just professionals?
A: MityVac tools are designed for both professional mechanics and home DIY users. They offer user-friendly operation with professional-grade quality, making brake bleeding and fluid maintenance accessible to anyone willing to perform their own vehicle maintenance.
Brake Bleeding Questions
Q: How do I use a MityVac to bleed brakes?
A: To bleed brakes with a MityVac vacuum pump, attach the appropriate adapter to the brake bleeder valve, connect it to the MityVac pump, open the bleeder valve, and create vacuum by pumping the handle. Watch the fluid reservoir and the collection bottle – you’ll see old fluid and air bubbles being drawn out. Continue until clean, bubble-free fluid appears, then close the bleeder valve before releasing vacuum. Always keep the master cylinder reservoir filled during the process.
Q: What’s the difference between vacuum brake bleeding and pressure brake bleeding?
A: Vacuum brake bleeding uses suction to pull fluid through the system from the bleeder valves (MityVac hand vacuum pumps), while pressure bleeding pushes fluid through from the master cylinder reservoir using pressurized air or manual pressure (MityVac pressure bleeders). Pressure bleeding is generally faster and more thorough, while vacuum bleeding is more portable and doesn’t require compressed air.
Q: How do I bleed brakes with a MityVac hand pump?
A: Connect the MityVac hand pump to the bleeder valve using the correct adapter, open the bleeder valve slightly, pump the handle to create vacuum (typically 15-20 pumps), and watch for fluid and air bubbles flowing into the collection container. Maintain vacuum while keeping the master cylinder filled with fresh brake fluid. Close the bleeder valve before releasing vacuum pressure to prevent air from being drawn back in.
Q: How do I bleed brakes with a MityVac vacuum pump?
A: Attach the vacuum hose and adapter to the brake bleeder screw, ensure a tight seal, open the bleeder valve, and operate the hand pump to create vacuum. Monitor both the master cylinder reservoir (keep it filled) and the collection bottle (watch for air bubbles). Continue pumping until only clean, bubble-free fluid flows through. Close the bleeder valve while vacuum is still applied, then release the vacuum.
Popular MityVac Models
Q: What is the MityVac MV7201?
A: The MityVac MV7201 is a brake bleeding and vacuum pump kit that combines vacuum testing capabilities with brake bleeding functions. It includes a hand pump, gauge, hoses, adapters, and a fluid reservoir for one-person brake bleeding operations.
Q: How do I use the MityVac MV7201?
A: To use the MV7201 for brake bleeding, attach the appropriate bleeder adapter to your brake caliper bleeder valve, connect it to the pump’s hose, fill your master cylinder with fresh brake fluid, open the bleeder valve, and pump the handle to create vacuum. Watch the gauge and collection bottle – continue pumping until clean fluid without air bubbles flows through. The MV7201 can also be used for vacuum diagnostics by connecting it to various vehicle systems.
Q: What is the MityVac MV8500?
A: The MityVac MV8500 is a premium brake bleeder and vacuum pump kit featuring enhanced vacuum capacity, pressure/vacuum gauge, and a comprehensive set of adapters for various brake bleeding and vacuum testing applications. It’s designed for professional-grade performance with improved durability.
Q: What is the MityVac MV8000?
A: The MityVac MV8000 is a versatile hand-held vacuum/pressure pump kit used for brake bleeding, vacuum diagnostics, and testing various automotive systems. It features both vacuum and pressure capabilities with an accurate gauge for precise measurements.
Q: How do I use the MityVac MV8000?
A: The MV8000 operates similarly to other MityVac pumps. For brake bleeding, connect the appropriate adapter, create vacuum by pumping the handle, and draw fluid through the system. For vacuum testing, connect to the component being tested and observe the gauge reading. The MV8000’s pressure function can be used by pumping to create positive pressure for certain diagnostic procedures.
Q: What is the MityVac MV7300?
A: The MityVac MV7300 is a Silverline Elite brake bleeding kit featuring a hand vacuum pump with gauge, multiple adapters, and accessories specifically designed for efficient one-person brake bleeding operations across various vehicle makes and models.
Q: What is the MityVac MV6840?
A: The MityVac MV6840 is a fluid evacuator designed for extracting oils, transmission fluid, coolant, and other automotive fluids. It uses vacuum technology to remove fluids through dipstick tubes or other access points without the mess of traditional drain methods.
Q: What is the MityVac MV7400?
A: The MityVac MV7400 is a pressure brake bleeder that uses compressed air or manual pressure to push brake fluid through the system from the master cylinder. It provides faster, more thorough brake bleeding compared to traditional manual or vacuum methods.
Q: What is the MityVac MV5530?
A: The MityVac MV5530 is a compression tester kit used to measure engine cylinder compression. It helps diagnose engine problems by revealing issues like worn piston rings, valve problems, or head gasket leaks through compression pressure readings.
Q: What is the MityVac MV6835?
A: The MityVac MV6835 is a manual fluid evacuator/extractor designed for removing engine oil, transmission fluid, and other automotive fluids. It features a large capacity reservoir and hand pump operation for fluid changes without crawling under the vehicle.
Fluid Evacuators & Extractors
Q: What is a MityVac fluid evacuator?
A: A MityVac fluid evacuator is a vacuum-operated pump that extracts fluids like engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, or brake fluid from vehicles. It works by creating vacuum pressure to draw fluids through a tube, making fluid changes cleaner and easier without removing drain plugs.
Q: What is a MityVac oil extractor?
A: A MityVac oil extractor is specifically designed to remove engine oil through the dipstick tube using vacuum pressure. This allows oil changes without getting under the vehicle or dealing with messy drain pans, making it ideal for boats, motorcycles, lawn equipment, and vehicles where access to the drain plug is difficult.
Parts & Accessories
Q: Where can I find MityVac parts?
A: MityVac replacement parts including seals, hoses, adapters, gauges, and pump components are available through automotive tool retailers, online marketplaces, and MityVac authorized dealers. Common replacement parts include vacuum cups, bleeder adapters, hoses, and rebuild kits for various models.
Q: What are MityVac plugs used for?
A: MityVac plugs are used to seal vacuum lines, cap unused ports on adapters, or close off vacuum fittings during testing procedures. They ensure proper vacuum pressure is maintained during brake bleeding or diagnostic operations.
Q: Are MityVac MV7201 parts available separately?
A: Yes, replacement parts for the MV7201 including hoses, adapters, seals, gauges, and pump rebuild components are available separately. This allows you to maintain and repair your MV7201 rather than replacing the entire unit.
Other Products
Q: What is a MityVac fluid dispenser?
A: A MityVac fluid dispenser is a pump designed to transfer and dispense fluids like gear oil, transmission fluid, or differential oil into hard-to-reach fill ports. It provides controlled, mess-free fluid filling for automotive maintenance.
Q: What is a MityVac transmission filler?
A: A MityVac transmission filler is a specialized pump tool designed to add transmission fluid through dipstick tubes or fill ports. It allows precise fluid level adjustment and makes transmission servicing easier and cleaner.
Q: What is a MityVac compression tester?
A: A MityVac compression tester is a diagnostic tool that measures the compression pressure in engine cylinders. It helps identify engine problems such as worn piston rings, leaking valves, or blown head gaskets by comparing compression readings across all cylinders.
Maintenance & Cleaning
Q: How do I clean my MityVac brake bleeder?
A: To clean a MityVac brake bleeder, first empty the fluid collection bottle and rinse it thoroughly with brake cleaner or soapy water. Flush the hoses with brake cleaner by running it through the system. Clean or replace the bleeder adapters and vacuum cups. Wipe down the pump body with a clean cloth. For stubborn brake fluid residue, use isopropyl alcohol. Allow all components to dry completely before storage.
Q: How often should I clean my MityVac?
A: Clean your MityVac after each use, especially when working with brake fluid, which is corrosive. At minimum, rinse the collection bottle and hoses after every brake bleeding session. Perform a thorough deep cleaning monthly if used regularly, or before long-term storage.
Troubleshooting
Q: Why won’t my MityVac hold vacuum pressure?
A: If your MityVac won’t hold vacuum, check for: loose hose connections, damaged or worn seals/gaskets in the pump, cracks in hoses or reservoir, improper seating of the bleeder adapter on the bleeder valve, or a faulty check valve. Inspect all connections and replace worn components. Many MityVac models have rebuild kits available.
Q: Can I use a MityVac brake bleeder on all vehicles?
A: MityVac brake bleeders work on most conventional hydraulic brake systems. However, some modern vehicles with electronic brake systems (ABS, stability control) may require special bleeding procedures or scan tool activation. Always consult your vehicle’s service manual for specific brake bleeding requirements.
Q: What vacuum pressure should I use for brake bleeding?
A: For brake bleeding with a MityVac, maintain approximately 15-20 inches of mercury (in-Hg) vacuum pressure. This provides adequate suction to draw fluid and air through the system without being so strong that it could damage brake system components or draw air past seals.
